JAMMU (KIMS) — At least five personnel of Indian Army and two militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit were killed in an encounter in Rajouri district of Jammu region on Thursday.
The encounter broke out between government forces and militants at Baajimal Kalakote area of Rajouri district on Wednesday afternoon. Four Army personnel and a militant were killed after which the encounter was halted for night due to darkness. The encounter resumed on Thursday morning and one Army personnel and a militant were killed taking the total toll to 7.
Earlier, a joint team of government forces including Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF had launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation (CASO) at Baajimal Kalakote area of the Rajouri district following the inputs about presence of militants in the area.
As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
The five Army personnel who were killed in the encounter have been identified as Capt MV Pranjal from Mangalore, Karnataka, Capt Shubham Gupta from Agra, Hav Abdul Majid from Ajote, Poonch, L/Nk Sanjay Bisht from Halli Padli, Nainital (UK) and Paratrooper Sachin Laur from Nagaliya Giurola Aligarh (UP).
Two militants including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Commander Qari of Pakistan origin and his associate were killed in the encounter.
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.
Jammu and Kashmir Police said, “Qari was active in Rajouri-Poonch range alongwith his group from past one year. He was also believed to be mastermind of Dangri and Kandi attacks.”
“The slain militant was sent to revive militancy in the region and was an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) handling expert, operating and hiding from caves and a trained sniper,” they said. — (KIMS)